Purple Lemon Photography

Lauren & Nathan: Wedding

2012-02-07T10:56:00.000-06:00

Lauren and Nathan have a special wedding story. As we met over coffee several times talking about their engagement session, their jobs, new house, and wedding plans, you could see they had direction and excitement surrounding all their plans. Nathan was thrilled with plans for their grand, elegant reception, Lauren was excited by all the plans coming together, it was all planned well in advance.

But you know what they say about plans, right? "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." And though we all love a good tale of things going just according to that plan, sometimes it holds a lot more meaning when it doesn't.

Here's Nathan. He's a charming, successful young man, who dotes on his bride.

Here's Lauren. She's a driven, passionate young woman who dreamed of a lavish wedding in the middle of September. She displayed great strength and dignity on her wedding day. Her wedding was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Just days before wedding she was admitted to the hospital. Seizures had come, seemingly out of no where, showing two masses in her brain. Plans came rushing to a screeching halt. Not only were there questions about the wedding, but there were larger questions about Lauren and her health that were going largely unanswered. Days went by- questions hung in the air- moments suspended- waiting for answers.

A few days before the wedding, I got word that there would indeed be a wedding. But with big changes. A large event became small and intimate. The grand plans became flexible- we'd play it by ear and see how Lauren would do.

I was so thankful to get to document this special day for them. What would normally have taken me all day, took me about two or three hours. Those three hours were full of incredible moments of displays of strength, great emotion, tight bonds of family, dear love of a new husband to his wife, and tenderness. I wouldn't have missed that for anything.

I love her mom, just looking on at her daughter while she gets ready.

I was so thankful, that though this could have been a day of sadness that things didn't go according to plan, or that Lauren's condition was so fragile, it was a day of celebration and joy.

Just a visual representation of the thousands of prayers that have been prayed for them in the last several months.

The closest of friends.

Surrounded by family.

Real love.

Lauren has since undergone, what I understand to be, two of three brain surgeries. All this in the last few months, all since her wedding day in September. She has had quite the recovery process, and will continue to that recovery and therapy to eradicate the cancer in her brain. I got word that this week she returned to work- what a wonderful step for her.

My congratulations go out to this couple, who in a few months time have undergone more as a couple than many go through in a lifetime. I pray that God blesses them in their marriage as they continue to celebrate each day of their lives together.

Testimonial of an indirect nature

2012-02-06T19:53:00.000-06:00

I have intentionally chosen not to put testimonials on my website, but I have to say, when I get a nice note from a couple in the mail, or the mother of the bride sends a note my way, or I get an email with about a bazillion exclamation marks, it encourages me tremendously.

When I was doing a little google-ing of ourselves this evening to see how hard it is to find us, I came across this blog post from last summer that really made me full of gratitude. (Thanks, Emilie.)

People often ask me about the bridezillas, crazy wedding stories, and major wedding mishaps- and you know what- I don't have them. I am paired, most often, with brides and grooms that are wonderful, passionate, have vision for their lives, their marriages (and their wedding photos), and we just mesh.

I look forward to seeing what couples head our way to fill our our 2012 calendar. Who else is out there that is recently engaged and is looking for a photographer? Some DIY brides? A couple with a funky wedding who will be daring with me at some unusual location? Vintage-inspired bride? Someone who doesn't see themselves as necessarily creative, but will go out on a branch with me?

Lemon Love

2012-02-03T10:52:00.000-06:00

On the phone today, my husband and I laughed, talked about holding hands when he gets home from work, and even talked about being in love. We're kind of sick like that. Or maybe we just make other people sick... But we really LOVE LOVE. We love marriages, love stories, and seeing people really doing well together- that's part of the reason I am in the wedding industry. I also really like cake.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner (as are a number of special anniversaries), so we've got some great ideas to help keep those fires burning- those date nights peppy- those anniversaries sweet- and never a marriage sour.

Valentine's Day Idea #1: small Photo
Pick out a picture of yourself for your sweetie from your wedding, enagement, or familiy session to go on their desk at work. A blessing to look on something sweet between memos, meetings, and bites of leftovers for lunch.

Valentine's Day Idea #2: BIG Photo
Did you just get the CD? But you really loved that sweet, romantic photo I took of you? Maybe you were nuzzling, or the clouds in the background made it look almost surreal, or you just had expressions of sheer wedding joy? Get it big as a surprise gift to hang in your home. Remember that love every day.

Valentine's Day Idea #3: Gift Certificate
Let your sweetheart choose their favorites- you just have to show them you were thinking of something they'd like. We can provide you with a Gift Certificate for any amount, applicable for products or new pacakges. Maybe that family session she's been asking you for. Or that one for the kids?

Valentine's Day Idea #4: Secret Photo Session
Schedule a trash the dress, bridal session, or just a little session to help your hubby go oooh-la-la! We might not have that done before the holiday, but we can get you something to let him know something is on it's way. Or get ready for that anniversary and schedule it today!

Valentine's Day Idea #5: Go on a Date
If you didn't get an engagement session- or maybe you just come to us for photos of your kids- this is for you. We take an approach to engagment sessions called the "date for three"- I am your third wheel, while you go somewhere you love or do something you love to do together, or something you've never done but always wanted to do. We'd love to do a few "dating sessions"- with those who are dating all their lives, even after the wedding day.

Valentine's Day Idea #6: Add some special words
We do plenty of custom design work around here, so give us something special to add to a favorite image I've taken. Send me a handwritten love letter, or a favorite scripture, passage from a book, the envelope from the first letter he sent you, a favorite song, etc. We'll add it to in image- make it large or small- to hang on the wall or create a keepsake box to hold your relationship momentos.

But... you took those a long time ago. Can I still order?
You've got a few choices here if your photos aren't online anymore. You can use your CD- those numbers likely match up with what I have. You can try to describe it to me- I don't know how easy that will be. You can request yours be put back online, and my hubby loves me so much, he'll click the button to make it so. Or you can let me choose.

I'm headed out for dessert on February 14th. What you are up to?
Nikki Dukes
Owner, Purple Lemon Photography

Professional Headshots

2012-02-02T12:09:00.000-06:00

This morning's head shot session got me thinking. With professional profiles, mini biographies, our website culture, social media, and the graphic-heavy culture we live in, so many people really need a quality photograph of themselves for their day-to-day lives. And it needs to fit their personality, their career, their life.

Do you have yours?

What about your staff? Are the photos on your website up to date?

Our sessions are quick, easy, and affordable. Schedule yours.

Big Boy Birthday Bedroom

2012-01-24T14:44:00.000-06:00

Bye-Bye Baby Bedroom, Bonjour Bonafide Big Boy Bedroom!

Our little guy turned three around Christmas and we ditched the baby stuff and brought in a grand sense of adventure. I just wanted to share his new room! Purely personal and fun. I love his new space...

Elisha's namesake is his great-great grandfather Elisha. When Eli was as he calls it "a little bitty baby, a long-a time ago," we got a box of postcards from my uncle from Elisha's travels. They show an incredibly large record of a man with a truly fascinating life. Few have writing with mid-century gas prices and tidbits of information, but most just show an amazing picture of traveling around North America and photographic record of the era. That was my inspiration.

Traveling is a fairly integral part of Eli's life right now, so it seemed really fitting. Not only is he obsessed with vehicles, as many boys are (see his partial collection of trucks in their "garage"),

but we have family all over the place. London, Texas, Kansas, Florida, just to name immediate family... This quilt a dear friend made for Christmas (hanging on the wall) has a button to show where all his family lives.

We've got travel, adventure, and family themed objects collecting on his shelf.

I used rubber stamps on his wall. Far more difficult than I had planned, but I have fallen in love with the natural, childlike, and vintage look of this simple decoration (there are little scenes hiding all over his walls).

We love to re-purpose old things, so his whole room is pretty much straight from somewhere else in our house, craigslist, or re-purposed- like his bedspread. It was a plain black bedspread I had in college. A friend helped me sew these stripes on to make a road. How clever is she? And we got a little pillow shaped like a truck from London to drive him off to sleep at night. His first night in his new bed, he claims to have dreamed sweet dreams of fire trucks.

Can you tell we like wood?

My little brainiac, happy in his reading chair.

I think he likes it.
He loves messages, so feel free to leave him a little comment, and I'll tell him you stopped by!

Jared & Kelly, an engagement experiment, of sorts...

2012-01-19T09:29:00.000-06:00

I think I met Jared his first week of college. I might have even moved his stuff into his dorm room for him. It was about two weeks after I got married. And now he's getting married, to Kelly.

Jared and Kelly both have a creative side with interests in writing, and Kelly with photography, so they were all for a little bit of something different for their engagement session. But with experiments that will last a lifetime, it is always a good idea to go with something safe first, right?

We started at the park where Jared literally (ah, writing pun!) pursued Kelly by running after her, and after her, and after her while he made laps around the park.

But then we did something a little more daring, a little more edgy. They went back to Kelly's apartment for a movie and some brownies. Perhaps not the most unusual date, but when you throw in a few giggles, some food fights, and some un-typical dramatic lighting, it was a little daring.

This one strikes me as a moment when the popcorn is suspended perfectly in the air, just as if their life exists with these kernels just floating around them all the time since they are just sitting there looking perfectly calm watching Star Trek...

Brownie phase: We turned food bloggers- gotta have the ingredients, right? I also find a way to highlight the ring in most engagement sessions, and Kelly made it easy for me by showcasing it and her perfectly manicured nails on the edge of the bowl (while Jared showed off the bracelet that I've never seen him without).

Check out that egg yoke!

Watch out!

Jen & Lester's New Year's Eve Wedding

2012-01-12T11:59:00.001-06:00

Jen & Lester got married on New Year's Eve- which gave me an awesome party to go to, rather than wondering what to do as a parent of a toddler on NYE. Thanks, guys!

This wedding had so many fun details, special moments, and hilarious expressions. Hold on tight, let's go! We'll start with these awesome boots. Lester is a country boy, so Jen wore these boots as a surprise for him- and they are purple- which adds an extra dose of festivity! Jen symbolically had people walk her down the aisle by having people sign the soles of her special shoes. Isn't that awesome?

Jen and Lester were married at Webster University, where I was married- we're probably the only couples married there since film could be used to capture color. It was special for me to be back in the same space where I said my vows five and half years ago. Anyhow, I saw this little patch of sunlight up in the balcony, so I grabbed this shot of Lester prior to the ceremony- I just love it!

Amazing firsts...
Dad seeing Jen. (I also love that it says "financial aid" just behind his shoulder- little bit of wedding industry humor, I suppose)

Mom seeng Lester.
Lester seeing Jen.

Jen coming down the aisle, perfectly bathed in sunlight.

This was awesome- Jen's grandmother sang the song that was sung at her mother's wedding.
I got to see something I'd never seen at a ceremony before- before the ring ceremony, while Jen's brother Gabe sang well enough to make my heart almost stop, the rings were passed among the guests to pray for and think encouraging thoughts for the couple.

She's going to steal your heart if you stare long enough...

Now things start to get a little more lively, the party starts here... I sometimes play this game with wedding parties, and it's hilarious. I know you can't see all the little details of these, but I have zoomed in and studied them just because they are so funny!

The reception was located at Hendri's in South City- and let me say- it's one of my new favorite reception venues!

Happy New Year!

Updates for the New Year

2012-01-10T09:54:00.000-06:00

I am sitting down, with my home and office all to myself, for a whole work day. First time in three weeks.

We had birthday, Christmas, New Year's, weddings, sickness, and life happening and I am ready to be back at it full swing. Shooting really never ceased, but I haven't been in the office.

Just wanted to pop in with a few updates and random photos that don't really have to do with this post. If the updates don't really apply to you, pass it on to someone for whom they do.

We've had our regular inquiries for weddings for 2012 and 2013 weddings over the last many months, but we are in a unique situation. We are hoping for another child sometime in the hopefully near future. Combine my medical history with an industry that often has bookings one or two years in advance and we hit a strange challenge with scheduling. So many unknowns...

We really want to be able to commit to couples that I can actually photograph their wedding. So for the past 6 months or so, we've been closing months for wedding bookings and opening them as we feel comfortable. We are now open through August of this year... So sorry to all of you fall brides who are still on the waiting list. We aren't quite there yet- if you are still holding out for us, we thank you for your patience! We are so honored!

Winter is a big time for engagements, so please contact us right away for a wedding consultation and to schedule some engagement photos!

Short engagement? We might just be the best fit for this season of our lives and yours.

Since we haven't been booking as rapidly as in the past (since we've had months closed for booking), and have been trusting that we'll still get the weddings we need to support the minsitries that we do with our business, we want to make sure that people know we do have openings left. So here's the deal...

Weddings: We will give a 20% discount to all wedding packages booked with an album for now through May 2012. That's huge! Spread the word... Also, we rarely offer custom wedding packages, but for spring of 2012 weddings (January-May), we will offer custom packages for small weddings.

Engagement, Family, Kids, Babies, Maternity: We finally have WEEKENDS! Many families love our work but can't make a weekday or week night session, and since we do a lot of weddings weekends aren't always an option. But we have a handful open right now.

Go ahead and book your late winter, early spring sessions now! You, too, can have a sweet photo with your kids. I know I love this one with my son taken just a few weeks ago...

Let's enjoy this mild winter and take some photos. Winter is still a great time for photos- indoors, outdoors, at home, out and about. The possibilities are endless. I've got a little something for everyone up my sleeves (and since it's winter, my sleeves are long).

Whoooo's taking our photograph?

2012-01-07T10:38:00.000-06:00

"Oh, I see... it was just you, " says Charlotte. "Keep dreaming, Sophia."

A few weeks back, I got to see these darling twin girls at the hospital. On their one month birthday, Casey and I headed over to the girl's house to work some magic. By the time we left, we'd gained the name of the "Baby Whisperers"- if only these techniques had worked on my baby, I'd have had a sleepy, happy baby all the time. Though so unique to be twins, each baby is also unique, so we did some together and some apart.

Enjoy a little peek!

We kind of squealed when they did this...

One fun thing about two photographers for twins is the same moment caught at two angles.

This cuddly one might just be my favorite. I can't decide.

Casey got this actual candid moment while we were setting up in the next room.

Congratulations on your new baby girls!

Can I steal their hats? Please?

2012-01-06T14:31:00.001-06:00

They are probably a bit too sparkly for me, but seriously? Too cute...

Gotta love these girls! So fun finding time for lively photos like these in our mild-winter season.

Stay tuned, we've got another winter wedding and other excellent sessions coming up soon!

Nicole & Jonathan, two lovebirds

2012-01-03T22:14:00.000-06:00

Note: Please read this one- yes, it's full of stunning photographs of stunning people, but I had a special challenge given to me this wedding day, and I'd like to know if I met it).

This wedding was full of rare, unique, and wonderful tidbits, and I loved every one of those little bits. It's a rare rehearsal when I am meeting the bride and groom for the first time (in real life)- at least I have video chatting. :) Thankfully each time that has happened, I feel like I have been perfectly matched with a great couple who by the end of the day feel like great friends- maybe the kind that I would have been invited to their wedding had it been a few years later.

I absolutely loved the sincere love that shone through on this brilliantly sunny Saturday. It was a simple, natural theme that trickled through in every bit. I even loved how their subtle colors (light blue and a mauve or dusty pink) came through in everything from the coloring of the December sky with her sweater to the sunset I photographed on the long drive back to St. Louis.

One of the things that I noticed as I went through Nicole and Jonathan's images, is that these two love birds, did so many things in sync with each other. Here are a couple. Getting ready:

Just moments apart:

Just moments before seeing each other in the spot where they met.

I love the textures and little details in this one, like the edge of the chair and the striations on the floor.

Here, her dad watches intently as they prepare to walk down the aisle.

and she waits, eagerly and excitedly...

Ceremonies make me cry, make me thankful (not just for autofocus for when I am crying), and make me deeply aware of the way Christ lets a bride represent his church. And as I was listening to Jonathan's dad give the message prior to their vows, he challenged them, and it made me take my breath - he challenged me, too. He didn't know it necessarily, but he said that as they look back on their wedding photographs, he wanted them to be able to see Christ in it- in them- part of a trio that would last their lifetimes. What a reminder for me! I strive to show people as God sees them and to show their personalities, but to be stopped dead in my tracks and to be called to display Christ standing with these two on their wedding day was a big deal.

I thought all during the day about what that meant. I mentioned before that I barely know these two- but I knew they had Christ- I could see joy, deep love and affection, natural simplicity, humble responses in everything, servanthood- even at their own reception (I forgot my coat and she was right there helping me make sure I got it back), and right priorities.

I love this image of her parents- I think I have one just like it from my wedding day.

This birdseed showered on the two lovebirds heads made for a whole set of awesome photos! It was so hard to pick just one.

Running again. I couldn't resist- it's just so cute!

Their reception was the kind that wedding bloggers blog about, and so I'll have to do my best to incorporate their incredible details without it taking over the rest of this post...

Note the following awesome things: felt birds, bird cages, individual pink layer cakes (which tasted amazing, even way after they should have still tasted good), trail mix bar, thumb print tree, discs of tree)

Congratulations!

My new chair (and other cuter things)

2011-12-28T22:50:00.000-06:00

This darling young one is getting so grown up. In fact, she just had a birthday. And I've been photographing her since about the time she took her first steps...

But as cute as she is, I really was aiming to get a few shots of her brother (on my cute new chair before I recovered and painted it) while he was just hitting the sitting stage last week.

Which kind of turned into a tiny family session (minus dad) in my living room...

while our kids played together (they are really good buddies!) and we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. What a great way to spend the morning before a wedding weekend.

Nostalgic Perfection: Emilie & Ethan, Part 2, The Wedding Day

2011-12-21T14:20:00.000-06:00

Following their incredible engagement session on one of the hottest days of the summer, Ethan and Emilie were married on one of the coldest days of the season (so far). I did not think it could get much better than their sweet affection, nostalgic memorabilia, records, and swing dancing- but throw a wedding into that mix and it again hit a sweet spot for me.

I missed my dance partner dearly as Ethan looked intently at his bride and kissed her hand or randomly swung her about any imaginary dance floor- be it the moment after they were wed, in a nearby field during photos, or on the real dance floor. How many moments early in my relationship with Brian would I look to my left or right and see Brian gently smiling at me as he danced out the steps to the Charleston. But enough about him (how I love him so), this was their day, and I have more than enough pictures to share- I could not narrow them down. Their day was simply filled with too many perfect moments to ignore.

I love this moment with Ethan craning his neck to see his bride for the first time and then- there she is!

This was one of the most touching moments for me in the whole day. I recalled the moment my dad entrusted my care into Brian's hands as Emilie's father spoke similar sentiments to Ethan. Ethan sincerely took in each word of instruction for caring for their daughter and knowing that she is God's.

The real first dance...merely seconds after exiting the ceremony!

Off to the park...

I have to give Casey full credit for this one- she envisioned this and the location worked perfectly! I have several versions of this image with Ethan leading Emilie, but this one, which is actually kind of blurry was among my favorites because of it's faded painterly quality. The texture just gets me.

The reception was at this awesome venue- The Lincoln Depot- which completely fits these two. So many awesome details- and if I weren't already posting so much you'd see a ton of that, too!

While recreating one of their favorite paintings, Casey captured this from the other side. Can't get enough of this one!

I loved this candid snippet the moment I saw it...

Classy black and white themed candy-bar.

Yep, we did this! Casey- thanks for inspiration!

Twins!

2011-12-03T14:41:00.000-06:00

When my son was born, he spent time in the NICU, not as long as some, only about a week, but still it was a time full of emotion, exhaustion, and new experiences. I am so thankful for the images that I took that first week, that even thinking about them sometimes has me teary. We knew from the get-go that a child for us would be a potentially risky route, but felt God's assurance that if we had a baby, he'd protect him and keep him healthy. He's a good God and we've been so thankful to see such a risky-baby turn into a risk-taking child. That time he spent in the hospital was time we had to trust God- it was a really special time.

We know those first days are hard, especially after bed rest or if the babies are in the NICU, so we have our Bedrest Babies program which gains me the overwhelming honor peeking in on new little ones in their first days.

These twins are beautiful! You'll have to check back in soon to see their newborn session after they are home from the hospital.

Love the glance through the hole of her incubator...

Lookin' at momma.

All bundled up and (trying to stay) warm.

Thankfulness

2011-11-24T11:30:00.007-06:00

(I had planned for this to post automatically on Thanksgiving. It didn't. But this is still true.)

I am thankful that the Lord has given me a gift to express how I see the world through my camera and the art of photography. I am thankful that he gave me a brain that sees my life through a special set of lenses so that I can use mechanical lenses to let other people see it. I praise him for sharing a small bit of his incredible gift of creativity with me.

Mindy and Tim: Wedding

2011-11-22T13:30:00.000-06:00

Mindy and Tim took me to New Town in St. Charles for the last time this season, for a great close to that aspect of my wedding season, though I still have three more weddings before the end of the year. I always love the simplicity of weddings there and how it lets real moments and lively expression shine through. It seems to always reflect some aspect of the couples that I photograph there. It was definitely true this time.

Mindy has one of the best smiles I've ever seen, and I honestly took far longer than normal weeding through their images trying to pick out just the right ones for their slideshow and to post here, just because she looks so awesome in almost every picture!

During the reception, Mindy's father told the story of when Tim asked to marry Mindy he said explained how much he loved Mindy's parents and wanted to be in their family. Every moment I spent with her family, I could see exactly what he was talking about- even Casey, who was shooting with me that day, said she wanted to be in their family, too. This series shows the first moments when her dad saw Mindy. I wish I had a transcript of those moments, too, because he simply doted on his daughter with such love!

The kids at this wedding were to die for! So cute, expressive, and perfectly photogenic without even trying. I absolutely LOVE this photograph of the flower girl.

I've been enjoying this unusual angle at the ceremony lately because you can really feel the fullness of the support for their marriage with the crowd included in the image.

Casey got great motion in this "exciting exit"- with bubbles and surprise bird seed.

Their wedding day was super windy, so when we weren't competing with it, it made for some great photographs with her veil.

Dancing.

I am so drawn to this photograph of her mom laughing!

This couple won the anniversary dance, and I just fell in love with them!

Quinn

2011-11-17T13:20:00.000-06:00

Doesn't he just make you smile? Seriously, what a cutie-pie! This charming family and I got to spend some time together this morning while the brilliant fall sunshine shone through the trees.

I love the natural reactions, genuine smiles, and real laughter!

Momma-cuddles are the best!

Just chillin' on my couch (for about a millisecond) between wiggles and giggles.

Rrrribbit.

Guess what. Quinn is turning one! Eat up, little buddy!

Bridge to Triumph III

2011-11-16T21:09:00.000-06:00

This week, The Bridge, had their third annual Bridge to Triumph fundraiser at the unique venue of the Moto Museum/Triumph Grille. The Bridge works to combat chronic homelessness here in St. Louis. As their volunteer staff photographer (sounds fancier than what I feel I do), I got to photograph this event for the third time.

The whole venue is a grand display of motorcycles of all kinds...

Mayor Slay always pays a visit...

Great music, but it was fairly loud so I never caught their name. Great job, guys!

My Little Rebel Copycat

2011-11-15T14:09:00.000-06:00

One of my assistant-friends photographed earlier this year near our homes (we're also neighbors), which happens to be near the airport. There is an area that used to be a neighborhood, but with the airport right there it was shut-down, our own little ghost-town, minus any cool buildings. Just roads. I'd been up there a time or two since checking it out and showing my hubby.

One afternoon, to celebrate a good day at school, I took Eli up there for a photo session, for which he wanted to take a camera, too. We discovered that afternoon the entrances all but blocked off and in a very obscure location (which I easily could have missed entirely, and almost did) a no trespassing sign.

We were rebels. He was learning how to pose. It was grand.

Then I decided he looked too grown up.
What do you think?

Laura & Dustin (and a bike with a banana seat)

2011-11-10T09:40:00.000-06:00

Laura & Dustin did an amazing job at their engagement session, let me just set the record straight. Though they may have joked about quitting their day jobs to be models for me, they really could (if I needed models often enough, that is).

I loved getting to know them, seeing the way they respond to one another, and getting take them to their favorite spots. I have often photographed weddings in the area where we were, but often felt at a loss for locations off the beaten path, which is something I just crave as a photographer (and I suppose in other areas of my life, too, now that I think of it).

At our consultation, bringing a vintage bike into the mix seemed a great direction to go. With the fall leaves, the great bike we were lent by the awesome staff at the Bike Surgeon in Shiloh, IL, made for nothing but visual excitement.

I am thrilled with their entire set of images, so rather than it being "hard" to choose for the blog today, I made it easy and didn't think too hard, just grabbing a handful, because I love almost all of them. Enjoy!

This one, with their dog Bailey, really makes me chuckle.

I keep imagining this one with their names on it for a save-the-date or title page in an engagement book.

To me, this seems like it is coming straight out of a movie.

Apparently, if I have to come back and check this place out in the summer, so should you...The Malt Shop.

The spot where they met... Looks like they are hitting it off, right?

Fair Trade Chocolate: Making the Switch

2011-11-08T09:48:00.002-06:00

This isn't a photography post.

But it is about chocolate.

A couple of years ago, I began to photograph for Partners for Just Trade and was exposed to the world of fair trade products, and more specifically, the large world of unfair products. As our family learned about the high cost of our culture's lifestyle and how our desire for ever cheaper products has, in many cases, created a life of suffering for those who create much of the products we use in our lives, it became a no brainer to buy fair trade whenever we can and to limit our purchasing all together to get the things we really need. It broke my heart to know that my selfishness to want to save a few more cents made someone else have to live on only a few cents or to work in harsh conditions. I supported it.

I am still frugal. I still spend little. But I am cautious not to buy things that, even if indirectly, do not show love, do not edify God's people and his creation. I buy fair trade not as a buzz word, but out of an effort to shop with integrity.

On our trip to the UK to visit family a few weeks ago, we were in the grocery store and I was so excited that almost every product I was seeing was labeled as fair trade. And it wasn't just, oh, look, there is one brand of spices that has some fair trade cinnamon, but there were several. Many companies were making wise choices. I was also saddened that at home I have to search high and low to find companies with transparency and fair trade labels.

So this week, we made the switch to Fair Trade Chocolate.

The cocoa industry is full of non-fair trade practices and slavery. I prefer to eat my sweets that aren't tainted by slavery or harsh labor conditions or poverty. In fact, I want to only eat sweets that aren't tainted by slavery. I do not know how much of a challenge that will be, but that is what I want to do.

As baking season comes upon us, will you make the switch? As your holiday shopping commences, will you shop at Partners for Just Trade? Will you stop shopping at stores and buying brands that aren't making the grade?

Handcrafted Baby Ada

2011-11-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

While God was busy knitting Ada together in her momma's tummy, her momma was busy knitting her baby cozy nursery goodies. It was so special to photograph this little one in her nursery with a handmade blanket, diaper cover, hat, sheets, mobile, painted mural, and atop a dresser that has been in their family for a long time. I love when all those pieces come together to create images that really mean something.

A few favorites to share. We decided that purple is Ada's color.

Love that cuttle little button nose and cute little button.

Momma-love.

Love this quirky little shot showing her owl themed nursery.

Sister-love.

This was actually a test-shot, that I just love, which shows the interaction of big sister Sunee getting gentle direction from momma on how to hold little Ada. So sweet.

Where in the world am I?

2011-10-27T13:57:00.000-05:00

Well, we've been in London...

and in Leiden, in the Netherlands (Holland)

Photographed a newborn today, but don't have time to edit those (but I cheated and have one of big sister to share)

And I am on my way back out of town for a retreat at the lake in about 2 hours. But this time I have one bag. Not this much.

Needless today, we've been busy, and there will many more photos and stories to come soon, especially since once I get back I enter yet another round of weddings and engagement sessions. Stay tuned...

Taking Great Pictures of Kids

2011-10-06T10:39:00.001-05:00

This weekend ends the local celebration of World Breastfeeding Week with a seminar on Breastfeeding and Parenting. Somehow, the Purple Lemon name has started making the rounds here in St. Louis (which I have to say is pretty exciting), and on one of those rounds I ended up being asked to be a speaker to a couple hundred folks (or so I hear) on how to take great pictures of kids. So on Saturday morning, bright and early (if the sun even rises that early), I'll be setting up shop at the Zoo for my presentation and a booth with Purple Lemon stuff.

I've never been nervous before a crowd, though after singing a solo or acting as a pre-teen, I'd get a few jitters. Would they clap? Did I do an OK job? It's been a long time since those days, and other than at my dad's church two years ago, I've not done much public speaking in my adult life. I don't think I'd be nervous, except that I'm sick. Will my voice hold out? Will I sneeze uncontrollably all over the stage, leaving phlegm hanging perilously from my nose? I suppose only time will tell.

So what's my best tip for taking great photos of kids?

Well, if I were shooting a wedding, I'd say, my best tip is to grab my assistant Casey, and say, "Can you get some photos of the kids real quick, while I go photograph the shoes?" Then you'd get a cute set of expressive sibling pictures like this:

But if she isn't around, I'd say:

Shhhh! I can't give it away yet, I haven't given my presentation! Maybe next week...

Michelle & Nate: Goin' to the Chapel

2011-10-05T08:29:00.000-05:00

Michelle and Nate tied the knot at the New Town Chapel in St. Charles. Though I have photographed there many times, each time is unique, and I find more lovely spots to photograph. I had a really hard time narrowing down the images from this wonderful event, as they were so expressive, lively, and we had ample time for portraits. It was such a relaxed day full of love, enjoyment of friends and family, and gorgeous weather- every bride's dream, right?

It was a Parisian themed wedding, even down to the charm on the jewelry.

Love how Casey photographed this scene including the ribbon from the balloons overhead.

Wish I could claim this. Casey captured this great shot with the flower girl.

The skies looked just like this exactly two years before.

Nate made this amazing scene atop their card holder. So many teeny tiny details. I photographed it for a long time...

Moments to smile

And to reflect

And to laugh

And to embrace